COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: Garden City looking to keep streak alive

The Garden City High School football team has won 29 consecutive games and back-to-back state championships.

But if the Bearkats want to keep either of those streaks alive, they are going to have to do it with some new personnel on the field.

Players such as All-West Texas selections Josh Colunga, Brett Chudej, Aaron Long and Ian Schaefer, along with Brian Hirt, have graduated, leaving at least five holes for the Bearkats to fill.

"The past is the past," Garden City head coach Vance Jones said. "We graduated six seniors, and five of them were all-staters. They will be hard to replace.

"Those five were starters for three years. They left some big holes. But our young kids are working hard, and I think we can be competitive. They have a lot to learn, but I am excited about our chances."

One key piece of the Bearkats' state championships is returning: quarterback Blayne Batla. Batla passed for 2,467 yards and 52 touchdowns with just six interceptions, earning first team all-district as well as all-region and all-state honors as a junior.

Batla has started since he was a sophomore. He said each season he has learned more and gained valuable experience, and he is excited about his senior season.

Jones said having his quarterback back is a big advantage for the team.

"It is huge," Jones said. "Having Blayne back will be big for us early. We will be relying on his arm a lot."

Batla is one of two returning starters on offense for the Bearkats. However, the team returns four starters on defense, led by all-state linebacker Reggie Halfmann.

Halfmann had 94 tackles last season. Also returning on defense are all-district selections Rueben Mier and Austin Odem at defensive end and linebacker Peyton Schaefer.

"We have been spoiled the last three years having so many players back on offense," Jones said. "In the past, the first week of practice, we have been able to run plays. This year, we are having to work on fundamentals.

"Our senior leaders are getting after it and pushing everyone. They are really pumping up each other."

Both Jones and Batla said there is some pressure on them, especially coming off two undefeated seasons.

"There is pressure regardless," Jones said. "But those last two years are over with. For the new players, it is their turn. That is what we are working for. We are taking it one week at a time. That is how we are going to take care of business."

Garden City and its new group of players will be thrown into the fire early. The Bearkats' first three games are against Division II state semifinalist Motley County, Division II state finalist Sterling City and Division I regional finalist Paducah.

Those three teams combined to win 27 games last season.

"If we can survive the first three weeks, I think our team can be decent," Jones said.

Batla isn't worried about the beginning of the team's schedule. He knows it is the games at the end that are more important.

"We know the first couple of games are not going to be like last year," Batla said. "The new guys are going to be nervous. I am looking forward to the games later in the season than ones at the beginning."

Regardless of the new personnel and the tough schedule that awaits them, the Bearkats still have high expectations going into the 2011 season as they seek a third straight state championship.

"We always set our expectations high," Jones said. "Winning district is our main expectation. We would like to get back to state, but the first thing we want to do is get better. We want to win district and then take it one game at a time in the playoffs."